TURKEY IS NOW A MEDIATOR IN ALL CRISES

In his speech in the "Global Crisis and European Union" session of the Forum Istanbul 2009 Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that in Europe economic crisis along with the issues like the climate change, problems regarding energy sources, changes in the demographic structures, desire to be a global actor; caused real stress. He added: "When we think of the possible contributions of Turkey to Europe, it becomes clearer that the Turkey –Europe integration is based on a win-win formula".

Bagis declared that Turkey had the fourth biggest labour force of Europe and he also stressed that the stable structure of the Turkish economy was very important at that critical period.

Bagis stated that Renault lost money in many of its facilities but profited in Romania and Turkey.

Declaring that the dynamism in the banking sector was also very important at that period Bagis added: "As of the end of 2008, banking sector had a net profit over 12 billion dollars. And this year, even the banks achieved this by causing some trouble in the real sector; we are high above the European standards in terms of the stability of our banks and finance markets."

Bagis stressed that there was an increase in the solidarity among EU and Turkish firms in many sectors, especially automotive, production, banking, telecommunications and transport. He added that Turkey's being an authority in the region was very important.

Pointing to the fact that Turkey's importance in the region was increasing each day, Bagis said: "Turkey is important in terms of not only economic issues but also for political issues. Today, Turkey is the first country called for mediation in the crises in the region"

Bagis declared that Turkey was a natural bridge when the energy sources of the world and the countries in need of energy were considered. Bagis added that an energy solution without Turkey would not be realistic.

Bagis said: "when the problems being faced and will possibly be faced within 30 years by Europe and Turkey are listed, it can be seen that 80% of them can be eliminated in the Turkey-EU integration process.

Bagis stated that at the present day, Turkey took its place in European institutions and he added that Turkey played a role in the decision mechanism of all the European institutions, other than the EU.

Bagis emphasized that Turkey had started the accession negotiations and would complete it as all the other member countries had done. Bagis added that Turkey would make a contribution in all aspects, not only to the economy of Europe but also to the politics, culture, art and academic world of it.

Stressing that Turkey would be a different country after the end of the accession negotiations Bagis added that there were still some reforms to be carried out and it was necessary to accomplish judicial reform, struggle against corruption, establish ombudsman system, and prepare a new constitution. Bagis also said: "the number of chapters opened are not the success criteria of Turkey but the reforms Turkey realized."